Mairie de Trévoux

The old town | The Dombes Parliament | The Stronghold | The Trévoux dictionary and "journal de Trévoux" | The drawplates museum

From its medieval past, Trévoux, has kept some elements (the stronghold, the Villars Gate, houses, …., ) but the town was quite frankly replanned from the 15th to the 18th century.

The old town

Built as an amphitheatre along the costal border of the Dombes, on the left bank of the Saône, before it was joined in France in 1762, Trévoux was the capital principality, the center of the Dombes Parliament.
The old town forms a block of architectural interest. In the central part, formely closed by the triangle of the city walls, multi-storeyed houses cling to the steep coast.

In the 18th century, the members of Parliament built their town houses outside the walls.
Actions to protect and develop the streets of Trévoux led for several years have permitted to give them a charm appreciated by tourists.

The Dombes Parliament

Built as an amphitheatre along the costal border of the Dombes, on the left bank of the Saône, before it was joined in France in 1762, Trévoux was the capital principality, the center of the Dombes Parliament. The old town forms a block of architectural interest. In the central part, formely closed by the triangle of the city walls, multi-storeyed houses cling to the steep coast.
In the 18th century, the members of Parliament built their town houses outside the walls. Actions to protect and develop the streets of Trévoux led for several years have permitted to give them a charm appreciated by tourists.

The Dombes Parliament created by François the 1st in 1523 was installed, first in Lyon and later in these walls in 1696, when Duc du Maine had the Trévoux Parliament builtb and compelled magistrates to reside in the town.
Together with the other Parliaments in France, it ceased work 75 years later.

A "à la française" sailing, painted by Pierre Paul Sevin as well as portraits of Duc du Maine attributed to Rigaud and the members of this parliament ornate the court-room, where the magistrate's court now seats.

Trévoux took advantage of its situation near Lyon, ans its independent and privilege status of a principality to develop industries and specific activities. Thus it became a European publishing center in the 18th century but also a city minting coins and warping precious metals.

The Stronghold

	The Dombes Parliament created by François the 1st in 1523 was installed, first in Lyon and later in these walls in 1696, when Duc du Maine had the Trévoux Parliament builtb and compelled magistrates to reside in the town. Together with the other Parliaments in France, it ceased work 75 years later. A "à la française" sailing, painted by Pierre Paul Sevin as well as portraits of Duc du Maine attributed to Rigaud and the members of this parliament ornate the court-room, where the magistrate's court now seats.
Trévoux took advantage of its situation near Lyon, ans its independent and privilege status of a principality to develop industries and specific activities. Thus it became a European publishing center in the 18th century but also a city minting coins and warping precious metals.

The castle dominates the Dombes plateau and the Saône valley, offering an outstanding point of view from the top of its octogonal keep.
One of the 3 towers, the octogon tower, has a fairly rare original feature with its byzantine-style building, its lines and its strata of 2 differently-coloured materials.

The listed monument was much renovated in 1993.

The dictionary and the "Journal de Trévoux"

The castle dominates the Dombes plateau and the Saône valley, offering an outstanding point of view from the top of its octogonal keep. One of the 3 towers, the octogon tower, has a fairly rare original feature with its byzantine-style building, its lines and its strata of 2 differently-coloured materials. The listed monument was much renovated in 1993.

Published for the first time in 1704, the Trévoux dictionary was one of the first ones written in french. Today it is still a reference book.

The "Memoirs for the History of Sciences and Fines Arts" more commonly named the Trévoux paper were printed in the town from 1701 to 1730.
The authors, mostly Paris jesuits, entered a long argument with Voltaire, with their philosophical articles.
(23Ko file)

The drawplates museum

	Published for the first time in 1704, the Trévoux dictionary was one of the first ones written in french. Today it is still a reference book. The "Memoirs for the History of Sciences and Fines Arts" more commonly named the Trévoux paper were printed in the town from 1701 to 1730. The authors, mostly Paris jesuits, entered a long argument with Voltaire, with their philosophical articles.	(23Ko file)

Fairly early, craftmen had come to Trévoux to warp gold and silver attracted by the tax breaks in the principality. So Trévoux can be proud of being the native place of silver and gold plates, collectors are hunting for.
Gold and silver drawers settled in Trévoux, worked for the Lyon silk-manufacturers. To draw out the metal wires, a tool pierced with a cone-shaped hole - the drawplates- is used.

A Trevoltien (Trevoux man), Antoine Millan managed to pierce diamond to create longer-lasting drawplates. At the end of the 19th century- beginning of the 20th century, Trévoux produced most diamond drawplates used in the world. Today, 2 firms are still working and a museum recalls this formely thriving industry.

Today, 2 firms are still working and a museum recalls this formely thriving industry.

The Tourist office is at your disposal should you require further information.